Anti-LGBTQI+ violence rises in Bangladesh
Trans people were most frequent targets; police victimized 54 people; hijras, 70.
A new study of anti-LGBTQI+ violence in Bangladesh reported a total of 56 incidents of killings, physical assaults, suicides, harassment and extortion last year, targeting 219 individual victims.
The level of violence was up from the previous year, when 51 incidents of anti-LGBTQI+ violence were reported, with 204 victims.
Each year’s report was compiled by the LGBTIQ+ rights group JusticeMakers Bangadesh and its affiliate, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), which does its work outside Bangladesh for safety.
The reports were based on “rigorous monitoring of news media and analysis”, JMGP said,
The founder and president of JMBF, advocate Shahanur Islam, stated:
“Despite several progressive initiatives taken by the present government in Bangladesh and the progress made in advancing LGBTQI+ rights globally, challenges persist, particularly in countries like Bangladesh where discrimination and violence against the community remain prevalent. Especially, Islamic religious groups (including Islamic extremists/terrorist groups) are vocal against the rights of LGBT people in Bangladesh. Through initiatives like this report, we aim to raise awareness, foster dialogue, and advocate for meaningful change to create a more inclusive and equitable society for all.”
Among the violent incidents, the report found that:
- 9 incidents that resulted in the tragic murders of 9 LGBTQI+ individuals, including 3 gay, 3 bisexual, and 3 transgender individuals;
- 11 incidents of physical assault that left 92 individuals injured;
- 1 incident that involved an attempted suicide;
- 1 incident was the kidnapping of 1 minority individual;
- 4 incidents resulted in the detainment of 7 people by local powerful groups and police;
- 3 incidents targeted 66 sexual minority individuals through extortion;
- 18 incidents implicated 55 LGBTQI+ individuals in criminal charges;
- 16 cases led to the arrest and jail custody of 49 individuals;
- 8 individuals tragically took their own lives in 6 separate incidents; and
- 13 other incidents of various types involved violence against 19 people.
Among these events, trans people were the most frequently targeted, accounting for 61 percent of the incidents:
- 34 incidents caused harm to 191 transgender individuals.
- 5 specifically targeted lesbians, impacting 9 individuals;
- 9 incidents were directed at gay individuals, involving 13 victims;
- 8 incidents inflicted violence on 6 bisexual individuals; and
JMBF added:
Family members, including parents and spouses, contributed to five incidents of violence, victimizing 7 people. Among these incidents, 3 involved joint perpetration by family members and members of the police, leading to the victimization of 5 LGBTQI+ individuals.
Members of the police were involved in perpetrating 20 incidents, resulting in the victimization of 54 individuals.
Additionally, victims themselves were perpetrators in six incidents, victimizing 9 individuals. The Hijra community was also implicated in five incidents, victimizing 70 individuals.
The report found that criminal activity targeting LGBT people often went unpunished.
JMBF reported that of 34 criminal and civil offenses targeting 161 members of the LGBT community, only 11 were officially recorded as criminal cases. “The remaining 23 incidents, impacting 148 individuals, have yet to face any legal repercussions,” JMBF said.
To read the full “Annual State of LGBTQI+ Rights in Bangladesh 2023” report, click HERE.
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